Bio
Institutional Christianity is going through a great shaking. None of us know exactly what tomorrow holds, but one thing is sure - the church is changing. Escapism is being replaced by realism. Dualism by integration. Status quo by social activism. Judgmentalism by compassion. Exclusion by inclusion. Hierarchy by democratization. Colonization by the celebration of BIPOC leadership. In the process, praise and protest are becoming inextricably intertwined, and the spiritual underground is giving us more and more clues as to what's around the corner.
With all of this in mind, Common Hymnal was created as a virtual library to help Christ followers navigate these uncertain times and find a safe passage into the future by loading them up with forward-facing content from the spiritual underground.
History teaches us that the future is innovated at the margins. Therefore, our efforts to treasure hunt the uttermost extremities of the faith to stock this library with songs, stories and ideas that echo the important conversations that are happening in these places. We have done our best to steer clear of cliches and spiritual fads in an effort to contribute meaningfully to a culture that values thoughtfulness and honesty.
As such, we are not seeking a platform of influence in the Christian bubble. We are working slowly and carefully to coalesce a new demographic, Christ followers who find themselves on the outskirts as a result of not fully connecting with mainstream Christian culture, yet eager to enjoy healthy community with other Jesus people. In order to accomplish this, we are building alliances with individuals and organizations that have a presence outside of evangelical subculture and that are tackling the justice-related issues that are a matter of survival on the fringe.
Just as with a physical library, we engage with the community in our orbit in a variety of ways to introduce our content - from hosting get togethers to assembling pop-up bands for third party events.
Content Sampler
Live Show
Dress Rehearsal for Live Free USA Tour
Church Songs
The Kingdom Is Yours
Take Over
Prison Doors
No More Wasted Years
Come And Tear Down The Walls
Hip Hop
Best I Can
Born A Champion
On My Way
Emmaus Cypher
Seat At The Table
Gospel
Amazing Grace (Always)
Healing
Our Psalm 23
I’ve Got The Joy
Racial Justice
The Medicine
Rose Petals
How Much Longer? (Rap Version)
Our Pride
Good Man Down
Gun Violence
Shots Fired
T-Shirt Man
Thoughts And Prayers
Innocent Lives
Reparations
H.R. 40 (Reparations Now)
Fly
I Came To Get What’s Mine
Get Out The Vote
Rocks
Walk With Me (Otis’ Dream)
Abuse
God Is Not Abusive
He Has Time (Sexual Abuse)
You’re Not Wrong (Church Abuse)
Spoken Word
America’s Gospel
God Will Heal Our Wounds (I Long For A World)
I Don’t Know Justice
The Revival
I Moved From One South Africa To Another
Compassion
For The Time We Have (Loss Of A Loved One)
Come To The Table (Inclusiveness)
Whiskey Lows (Addiction)
No Vacant Thrones (Tough Times)
Breaking Me Down (Deconstruction)
Genres
Tu Amor (Salsa)
My Oasis (Latin)
Grace Came Running (Reggae)
Lines (Singer-Songwriter)
Here It Comes (Singer-Songwriter)
I Wonder (Soul)
I Am Loved (Outdoor Protest)
Seasons
My History Is Black (Black History Month)
The Cross Made The Change (Easter)
Passover (Releasing as a standalone single for Easter in March 2024)
Stars and Stripes (Fourth Of July)
Mothers And Shepherds (Christmas)
Fall In Love With Christmas Again (Christmas)